Keynote Panel

Jennifer Keitt empowers and educates more than one million listeners across the globe each week as the host of Today’s Black Woman Radio Show and as the host of her new show: THE JENNIFER KEITT SHOW which airs on KISS 104FM in Atlanta. For over two decades, Keitt has represented the power and perseverance of women, challenging them to invoke change and conquer the world in unique and creative ways. Her relatable style and authentic persona attracts listeners of all ages seeking encouragement and words to live by, as well as a variety of high profile guests, including Maya Angelou, Mary J Blige, Angela Bassett, Tina Turner, Halle Berry, Susan Taylor and Mellody Hopson

With wit, wisdom and a drive to inspire, she consistently brings crowds to their feet at leading U.S. companies and organizations, including Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, Cox Radio, Fort Dix, University of Minnesota, The Salvation Army and other numerous other women’s groups, organizations, colleges and universities.

James Andrews serves as Chief Digital Evangelist for StudioGood based out of their East Coast office. Studio Good is an award-wining digital and social good agency with offices in San Luis Obispo, Dallas, and New York City. In its 11th year in business Studio Good brings together brands, celebrities, cause, online actions, and real life interactions to create impactful, measurable results. In 2009, Andrews created #BeatCancer an online campaign to raise awareness and micro fund raise for Cancer research. #BeatCancer garnered the 1st ever Guinness World Record for social media mentions and most importantly raised $70,000 for cancer charities in 24hrs via Twitter.

James Andrews has been working in the area of interactive/new media and non-traditional marketing for 20 years holding senior titles at Urban Box Office, Columbia Records, Ecko Unlimited and Isobar/Carat. His experience with the world’s largest brands, personalities and organizations places him in a unique category of entrepreneurs that understand the convergence of new media, content, social activism and digital lifestyle. James was named to the 2012 Ebony Power100 list and blogs at Fast Company as well as Huffington Post. No stranger to being in front of the camera, Andrews can be seen as a contributor on CNN, Fox and CNBC discussing current news and social media stories.

Nick Ayres is the Director, Social Marketing for InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG). In his role, Nick leads the strategic marketing plans globally, and is focused on delivering an integrated social strategy to support the company’s business objective of delivering preferred brands.

Immediately prior to IHG, Nick spent nearly five years with The Home Depot helping architect the company’s approach to social marketing as well as serving across several other functions including eCommerce, interactive marketing, brand management and new product development. Nick holds a MBA with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship from Georgia Tech and a BS from Emporia State University.

Blake Canterbury is a social innovator passionate about creating the future of philanthropy. He launched his first company based on social media in 2009. He used social media to network organizations including the U.N., U.S. Marines, Haitian police and multiple organizations to aid thousands (Haiti 2010).

Since then, his work has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post, and local news in 36 cities, 28 states and 4 countries. beremedy was named one of the “3 best twitter usages worldwide” by CNN (3/20/11). Blake is regarded as a leader in executing online campaigns to drive real world action and speaks regularly on the topic.

Van is a small business entrepreneur that loves helping other entrepreneur’s. He’s been in the Financial Services world since 1999 with companies like Northwestern Mutual and State Farm. After dumping “traditional” marketing efforts in his State Farm office for 100% Social Media and referral driven marketing, his revenue increased 60% and his closing ratio went from 25% to 80%.

Based on that success, while maintaining his State Farm office, he created Relational Equity. Believing that advocacy for your clients is the ultimate form of engagement online, they teach small business’ and churches how to leverage what their people are posting online in order to drive retention at a relational level. Their company’s clients include Leadercast, Hive Atlanta, Connexus Church, Keller Williams Realtors as well as SoCon14.